Yonghua Zhao obtained B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Harbin Institute of Technology in 2009 and 2011, respectively. He conducted doctoral research on electrical discharge and electrochemical machining in Precision Engineering at the University of Tokyo and obtained a Ph.D. in 2015. He was later hired as an assistant professor in the same department. He is a member of the Research Affiliate Committee of the Japan Society for Precision Engineering (JSPE) and the Chinese Mechanical Engineering Society (CMES). He serves on the youth editorial board for the International Journal Extreme Manufacturing, Results in Engineering, and Corrosion Communications journals.

With the goal of frontier applications in aerospace, semiconductor, and biomedical manufacturing industries, Prof. Zhao’s group researches advanced manufacturing technology based on fundamental scientific knowledge such as surface science, electrochemistry, discharge plasma, thermal fluid mechanics, etc. Another focus is intelligent manufacturing and technology integration with industrial automation and robotic applications. 

Research interests: 

◆ Electro-physical and chemical process

◆ Manufacturing processes for advanced materials

◆ Modeling for machining processes

◆ Micro/nano-fabrication

◆ Surface creation

◆ Metal additive manufacturing

◆ Digitization and robotization for manufacturing

Current research work:

◆ Micromachining of difficult-to-cut advanced materials

◆ Parallel-spark electrical discharge machining process for [high-precision and large area]

◆ Post-processing of additively manufactured components

◆ Hybrid manufacturing process

◆ Plasma electrolysis for surface engineering

◆ Modelling and experimental study for electrochemical micromachining

◆ Micro/nanofabrication for MEMS

Education:

◆2011.10-2015.03     Ph.D, Precision Engineering, The University of Tokyo

◆2005.08-2011.07     BS, MS, Mechanical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology

Employment:

◆2021.01-Present  Associate professor, Southern University of Science and Technology

◆2018.09-2020.12  Assistant Professor, Southern University of Science and Technology

◆2015.04-2018.08  Assistant Professor, Department of Precision Engineering, The University of Tokyo

Awards:

◆2022. RINENG Young Investigator Award 2022, Results in Engineering, Elsevier, 2022

◆2019. Young Researcher Award at the 8th International Conference of Asian Society for Precision Engineering and Nanotechnology (ASPEN 2019), Japan

◆2019. Promotion Award of Machine Tool Technology of Japan, by the Machine Tool Technology Promotion Foundation, Japan

◆2019. Shenzhen Overseas High-Level Talent (Peacock Plan) Award

◆2018. JSPE Young Researcher Award, by the Japan Society for Precision Engineering, Japan

◆2017. Best Paper Award at the 7th International Conference of Asian Society for Precision Engineering and Nanotechnology (ASPEN 2017), Korea

◆2017. Young Research Affiliate Award of the Japan Society for Precision Engineering, Japan

Recent Publications:

1. W. Liu, S. Li, Y. Zhao, X. Yue, J. Su, Z. Wang, Developing a New Flow Cell for Electrochemical Machining Anodic Dissolution Investigations by Simulation-Based Design and 3D Printing, Journal of The Electrochemical Society, Volume 170, 091504, (2023)

2. J. Lu, S. Liu, Y. Zhao*, Enabling Jet-Electrochemical Discharge Machining on Niobium-Like Passivating Metal and the Single Step Fabrication of Coated Microstructures, Journal of The Electrochemical Society, Volume 170, 093508 (2023)

3. W. Liu, W. Li, Y. Zhao, Z. Wang, Z. Guo, Gap effect in electrochemical jet machining, Journal of Manufacturing Processes, Volume 99, Pages 652-662 (2023)

4. G. Liu, Jordi Salvat Cantó, Soran Birosca, S. Wang*, Y. Zhao*, A study of high cycle fatigue life and its correlation with microstructural parameters in IN713C nickel-based superalloy, Materials Science & Engineering A, Volume 877, 145161 (2023)

5. Q. Liu, J. Lu, Z. Luo, J. Yi, M. He, Y. Zhao*, S. Wang*, Enhancing corrosion resistance of additively manufactured 316L stainless steel by fabricating pillar arrays, Materials & Design, Volume 230, 111940 (2023)

6. S. Zhan, Z. Lyu, B. Dong, W. Liu, Y. Zhao*, Cathodic discharge plasma in electrochemical jet machining: Phenomena, mechanism and characteristics, International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture, Volume 187 (2023)

7. J. Lu, J. Guan, B. Dong, Y. Zhao*, Control principle of anodic discharge for enhanced performance in jet-electrochemical discharge machining of semiconductor 4H-SiC, Journal of Manufacturing Processes, Volume 92, Pages 435-452 (2023)

8. S. Zhan, B. Liu, X. Yu, X. Chen, G. Zeng, Y. Zhao*, Fabrication of Homogeneous Nanoporous Structure on 4H-/6H-SiC Wafer Surface via Efficient and Eco-Friendly Electrolytic Plasma-Assisted Chemical Etching, Small, 2023, 202205720 (2023)

9. B. Dong, S. Zhan, J. Lu, Z. Chen, Y. Zhao*, Phenomena and mechanism of local oxidation microlithography of 4H–SiC via electrochemical jet anodisation, Ceramics International, Volume 49, Pages 8781-8792 (2022)

10. J. Lu, S. Zhan, B Liu, Y. Zhao*, Plasma-enabled electrochemical jet micromachining of chemically inert and passivating material, International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing, 045101 (2022).

11. J. Xue, B. Dong, Y. Zhao*, Significance of waveform design to achieve bipolar electrochemical jet machining of passivating material via regulation of electrode reaction kinetics, International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture, Volume 177, 103886 (2022).

12. J. Lu, W. Liu, Y. Zhao*, Anisotropy in electrochemical jet texturing of rolled stainless steel SUS304, Materials & Design, Volume 215, 110500 (2022).

13. S. Zhan, J. Lu, Y. Zhao*, Observation and modulation of gas film and plasma behavior in electrolytic plasma hybrid etching of semiconductor material 4H–SiC, Precision Engineering, 74, 403-413 (2021).

14. J. Guan, Y. Zhao*, Non-contact grinding/thinning of silicon carbide wafer by pure EDM using a rotary cup wheel electrode, Precision Engineering, 74, 209–223 (2021).

15. J. Lu, W. Liu, X. Hu, S. Wang, G. Tang, Y. Zhao∗, Rapid surface preparation for three-dimensional characterization of defect and microstructure of metal additive manufacturing using electrochemical jet, Materials & Design, Volume 212, Pages 110180 (2021).

16. Zhan, B. Dong, H. Wang, Y. Zhao∗, A novel approach for bulk micromachining of 4H-SiC by tool-based electrolytic plasma etching in HF-free aqueous solution, Journal of the European Ceramic Society, Volume 41, Issue 10, August 2021, Pages 5075-5087 (2021)

17. S. Zhan, Y. Zhao∗, Intentionally-induced dynamic gas film enhances the precision of electrochemical micromachining, Journal of Materials Processing Technology, Volume 291, Pages 117049 (2021)

18. Z. Chen, S. Zhan, Y. Zhao∗, Electrochemical jet-assisted precision grinding of single-crystal SiC using soft abrasive wheel, International Journal of Mechanical Sciences, Volume 195, Pages 106239 (2021)

19. S. Zhan, Y. Zhao*, Plasma-assisted electrochemical machining of microtools and microstructures, International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture, Volume 156, Pages 1-15, 103596, 10.1016/j.ijmachtools.2020.103596 (2020)

20. Y. Zhao*, Chong Zhao, Shuai Wang, Satoru Kakudo, Masanori Kunieda, Selective and localized embrittlement of metal by cathodic hydrogenation utilizing electrochemical jet, Precision Engineering, Volume 65, Pages 259–268 (2020).

21. S. Zhan, Y. Zhao*, Suppression of cathode tool wear by a forward-bias voltage in pulsed spark-assisted chemical engraving, Electrochemistry Communications, 111 (2020) 106643.

22. Zhaojie Chen, Y. Zhao*, Investigation into electrochemical oxidation behavior of 4H-SiC with varying anodizing conditions, Electrochemistry Communications, 109 (2019) 106608.

23. Y. Zhao*, M. Kunieda, Investigation on electrolyte jet machining of three-dimensional freeform surfaces, Precision Engineering, Volume 60, Pages 42-53 (2019).

24. Y. Zhao*, M. Kunieda, K. Abe, A novel technique for slicing SiC ingots by EDM utilizing a running ultra-thin foil tool electrode, Precision Engineering, Volume 52, 84–93 (2018).

25. Y. Zhao*, M. Kunieda, N. Obi, S. Watanabe: Development of electrolyte filtration system for ECM taking into account removal of chromium (VI) ions, Precision Engineering, Volume 49, Pages 211–219 (2017).

26. O. Flaño, Y. Zhao*, M. Kunieda, K. Abe, Approaches for improvement of EDM cutting performance of SiC with foil electrode, Precision Engineering, Volume 49, Pages 33–40 (2017).

27. O. Flaño, I. Ayesta, B. Izquierdo, J.A. Sánchez, Y. Zhao, M. Kunieda, Improvement of EDM performance in high-aspect ratio slot machining using multi-holed electrodes, Precision Engineering, Volume 51,Pages 223–231 (2017).

28. Y. Zhao*, M. Kunieda, K. Abe: EDM mechanism of single crystal SiC with respect to thermal, mechanical and chemical aspects, Journal of Materials Processing Technology, Volume 236, Pages 138–147 (2016).

29. Y. Zhao*, M. Kunieda, K. Abe: Comparison study of foil EDM characteristics of single crystal SiC between in deionized water and in EDM-oil, International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Volume 86, Issue 9, pp 2905–2912 (2016).

30. Y. Zhao*, M. Kunieda, K. Abe: Multi-discharge EDM coring of single crystal SiC ingot by electrostatic induction feeding method, Precision Engineering, Volume 41, Pages 24–31 (2015).

31. Y. Zhao*, M. Kunieda, K. Abe: Study of EDM cutting of single crystal silicon carbide, Precision Engineering, Volume 38(1), 92–99 (2014).

32. Y. Zhao*, M. Kunieda, K. Abe: Challenge to EDM Slicing of Single Crystal SiC with Blade Electrode Utilizing a Reciprocating Worktable, Procedia CIRP, Volume 42, Pages 185-190 (2016).

33. Y. Zhao, M. Kunieda, K. Abe: Experimental Investigations into EDM Behaviors of Single Crystal Silicon Carbide, Procedia CIRP, Volume 6, Pages 135–139 (2013).

34. Y. Wang, M. Zhou, Y. Zhao: Characterization of surface micro-topography by power spectral density in high speed precision planar milling of SiCp/Al composite, International Journal of Nonmanufacturing, Volume. 7, No. 5-6, 436-447 (2011).

Other Information：

◆Long-term recruitment of post-doctorate and research professor

The group welcomes postdoctoral researchers and research assistants constantly. Please feel free to contact us at any time. We also actively recruit PhDs, masters, and undergraduates with intense research interest.

◆Interdisciplinary

We are open to students and scholars from various backgrounds (including mechanical engineering, thermal engineering, precision instruments, electrical engineering, laser/optics, solid state physics and physical chemistry.

Contact: zhaoyh@sustech.edu.cn